Cyclone Montha is moving toward India’s east coast. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the storm will become a severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday. It is expected to make landfall near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday. This is India’s first cyclone of the year to make landfall. Earlier, Cyclone Shakthi had formed in the Arabian Sea but moved away without hitting land.
IMD Warns of Heavy Rainfall
The IMD has predicted extremely heavy rainfall in Andhra Pradesh’s Rayalaseema region on Monday and Tuesday. The rainfall may exceed 210 mm in 24 hours. Odisha will also see very heavy rain in Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, Ganjam, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, and Kalahandi from Tuesday to Wednesday.
In addition, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and coastal Karnataka will experience 115–210 mm of rainfall until Tuesday. Yanam, Telangana, and Chhattisgarh will likely get heavy showers till Thursday.
Andhra Pradesh Under Red Alert
The IMD has issued red alerts for several Andhra districts, including Kakinada, Konaseema, West Godavari, Krishna, Bapatla, Prakasam, and Nellore. By Tuesday evening, wind speeds may reach 90–110 kmph along the coast. Authorities have evacuated thousands of residents from low-lying areas to safe shelters.
Home and Disaster Management Minister Vangalapudi Anitha said, “Our priority is to ensure that no untoward incident occurs, no one dies. People in the affected districts have been sent alerts on mobile phones and by announcements that unless it is an emergency, they should not come out of their homes till the cyclone passes. If they feel their house is dangerous, go to a safe place which is the nearest relief camp.”
The government has provided satellite phones to districts where communication may fail. NDRF and SDRF teams are on duty. All fishing activities and beach access are banned until the storm ends.
Odisha Boosts Disaster Readiness
Odisha is also preparing for the cyclone’s impact. The state has issued warnings for eight districts likely to face heavy rain and strong winds. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari chaired a review meeting on Sunday. He said the state is fully prepared to handle emergencies. Local authorities have kept relief camps and evacuation centres ready. Teams from the NDRF, ODRAF, and Fire Services have reached vulnerable areas.
Both States Stay on High Alert
Andhra Pradesh and Odisha are maintaining high vigilance as Cyclone Montha approaches. The IMD continues to monitor the storm’s path over the Bay of Bengal. Officials have urged people to stay indoors, follow safety measures, and avoid coastal areas until the cyclone passes.